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LetMyPeopleVote

(155,540 posts)

33. Bats should never be handled

Reply to BlueWaveNeverEnd (Original post)

Sat Nov 30, 2024, 05:13 PM

Nov 30

I still remember the lecture that a fish and wildlife officer gave to my boy scouts 25 or so years ago. If a bat is on the ground and is not flying then it is best to assume that it is sick and may have rabies. Rabies is no fun.

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LeftInTX

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Highlight:

California teacher dies of rabies after being bitten by bat inside classroom [View all] BlueWaveNeverEnd Nov 30 OP

Tragic. Dennis Donovan Nov 30 #1

This is sad. When I asked my vet why I needed to vaccinate my indoor only cats for rabies japple Nov 30 #2

There is a human vaccine. NutmegYankee Nov 30 #3

There is a very effective vaccine that can be given after the bite. LisaL Nov 30 #11

That's a different thing. NutmegYankee Nov 30 #26

no it is the exact same vaccine Kali Nov 30 #53

We were exposed and got the shots. That was 10 yrs ago. JanMichael Nov 30 #18

The shots given after a bite are different. NutmegYankee Nov 30 #27

Neither of us high risk. JanMichael Nov 30 #32

My friend is an animal control officer, so she gets the rabies vaccine. Mariana Nov 30 #43

Leah Clouds Passing Nov 30 #4

Don't know if I had three bats or a repeat visitor. I shooed the first two and finally slew the third one under my bed. Marcuse Nov 30 #5

No wonder DeVinci loved to draw bats. They're designed so beautifully. Nt Maru Kitteh Nov 30 #28

You're supposed to get the vaccine! LeftInTX Nov 30 #34

Yep. If the bat is in a room where someone is sleeping they should be vaccinated. Hassin Bin Sober Nov 30 #47

So any close encounter with a bat may trigger a rabies treatment wolfie001 Nov 30 #6

It's very reckless to handle a bat with your bare hands. nt Shermann Nov 30 #8

We don't know what she tried to handle it with. LisaL Nov 30 #10

It should trigger a rabies treatment. LisaL Nov 30 #9

The County recommended family rabies treatment after removing a bat from a friend's house. Marcuse Nov 30 #12

Rabies treatment is a vaccine. LisaL Nov 30 #13

Yes! Early! Don't wait for symptoms! wolfie001 Nov 30 #16

Absolutely. Should be common knowledge paleotn Nov 30 #23

Contact with bat or bat in the house! LeftInTX Nov 30 #35

attended a big college in Northern California. bats would get into the library and hang on the shelves BlueWaveNeverEnd Nov 30 #49

Maybe rabies in bats are on the rise? LeftInTX Nov 30 #51

This message was self-deleted by its author LeftInTX Nov 30 #50

Despite not showing any sign of rabies in the days following the encounter? LisaL Nov 30 #7

Yippers! wolfie001 Nov 30 #19

Rabies shots are available to anyone exposed Laurelin Nov 30 #14

I actually got rabies vaccine as a child after I got bitten by a dog (who in all likelihood wasn't rabid, but better LisaL Nov 30 #15

I remember "Shots in the stomach" wolfie001 Nov 30 #17

My granddad, WWI vet and farmer, went through a series of those. Glad to know it's not in stomach anymore. Silent Type Nov 30 #24

Yep, I am still scared of dogs to this day, after the whole LisaL Nov 30 #29

"Shots in the stomach" That phrase was seared into my memory when Mom told me Maru Kitteh Nov 30 #31

So glad that changed! Laurelin Nov 30 #21

Thank you for the reminder that ANYONE who gets bitten should be tested, at the very least FakeNoose Nov 30 #25

There is no test for rabies. Only shots. LeftInTX Nov 30 #36

Yes. The animal can be tested if you catch it - but only after it's killed. Mariana Nov 30 #44

I was surprised to learn that there is a delayed reaction. milestogo Nov 30 #20

Like with other viruses, there is an incubation period, that LisaL Nov 30 #40

It takes 3-8 weeks to develop in a dog. milestogo Nov 30 #48

Sad story, and a link to information everyone should know. hunter Nov 30 #22

My story's similar, but a happy ending synni Nov 30 #30

glad you didnt get bit! BlueWaveNeverEnd Dec 1 #59

Bats should never be handled LetMyPeopleVote Nov 30 #33

Rabies is maybe the most terrifying virus that we know of. Self Esteem Nov 30 #37

If RFKjr got bit by a rabid bat, would he get a vaccine or not? LisaL Nov 30 #41

The world would be a better place! LeftInTX Nov 30 #46

My grandma was attacked by a rabid skunk last summer in Minnesota NickB79 Nov 30 #38

Nowadays rabies shots are nothing. LeftInTX Nov 30 #39

shots are easy, paying for them mey not be Kali Nov 30 #55

My friend has Tricare. She didn't say anything LeftInTX Nov 30 #56

and some jurisdictions may cover it Kali Nov 30 #57

Her case was considered an exposure. LeftInTX Nov 30 #58

We need to know RFK Jr's take on this before Abolishinist Nov 30 #42

If I was clever, I would write a Spurious News LeftInTX Nov 30 #45

Harrowing TheProle Nov 30 #52

Oh FFS!!! "*Despite* not showing any signs of rabies in the days following..." RockRaven Nov 30 #54